Springing ahead with lwsf

It's been a beautiful stretch of sunny days here in the Puget Sound, cool and crisp but with spring in the air.

(Of course, now that I've said that, it'll probably rain all day.)

Speaking of spring, we still have a few openings for Table Captains at our annual spring lunch on March 28. If you've never been a Table Captain before, this is the year for you to raise your hand. Scilla Andreen, producer of the anxiety-awareness documentary "Angst," is delivering the keynote address, and we're offering screenings of her film in advance of the luncheon. Interested? You're invited to attend the Table Captain kick-off party on January 31. Just send us an email and let us know you'd like to get involved.

What's February without our Wall of Love? If you know a teacher who deserves a smile on Valentine's Day, check out our Valentine's Day campaign for teachers. It's an easy way to show them you care, and they'll love knowing that you've made a donation to LWSF to make it happen.

Donations like those help fund our Reach for Success classroom grant program, which supports classroom- or school-level projects up to $3,000. We're opening up our application cycle for the 2019/2020 school year, and this time, we're particularly eager to identify projects that focus on youth mental wellness and/or close gaps in equity and inequality in the LWSD. Applications are due March 15 and are available online. Need help? Read through the documentation online and then sign up for one of our in-person workshops with LWSF's own grantwriter, Julie Haase. More details are below. 

And finally, I want to let you know that I'm moving on to a new position addressing youth mental health issues in our state. I'm proud of the work we've accomplished during my time with LWSF, and I'm pleased to introduce LWSF's interim Executive Director Chris Wheaton, who has been a Trustee of the Foundation for the past two years. 

Thank you for your trust, support, and generosity these past few years. I look forward to seeing LWSF's momentum continue to build as we work together to make sure that all children have what they need to succeed in school and in life. 

Sincerely,
Larry Wright
Executive Director
Lake Washington Schools Foundation

P.S. We're mailing 2018 year-end tax letters to donors this week. Let Jamie know if you have any questions.  ​

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What will it take to bridge the gap in youth mental wellness?

​We think this is the most important question facing our generation, and we're confronting it head-on. Join us at our annual benefit luncheon on March 28, 2019 as we welcome Scilla Andreen, producer of anxiety-awareness documentary, Angst, as keynote speaker. Ms. Andreen is CEO and Co-Founder of IndieFlix Inc., founded in 2011 to support the creation, distribution and exhibition of social justice films. Want to see the film before you hear her speak? We're offering two screenings of Angst in the coming months--more details on that to come.

Can you be a Table Captain? You'd be helping us build momentum and rallying friends and coworkers to fill a table at the luncheon. Interested? Join us at our Table Captain kick-off event January 31 at the Marriott Redmond. Email Jamie to get on board.
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Do you know an organization that would like to help us solve the problems facing kids today? We're seeking additional corporate sponsors for this event and would love to hear from you. Email Julie if you'd like to get involved.
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Learn more!

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Know a teacher who deserves a valentine?

​We think you do! So this Valentine's Day, for a small donation, we'll put your favorite teacher's name on our Wall of Love, send them a keepsake postcard, or mail them a heart-filled lapel pin. All funds raised by this campaign benefit the Lake Washington Schools Foundation and our Reach for Success classroom grants.

​But act quickly! Donations for pins and postcards must be received by midnight on February 10! ​

show a teacher how much you care!

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Reach for Success Grant Application for the 2019-2020 school year now available ​

Reach for Success Grants fund creative educational initiatives that enhance or expand Lake Washington School District's curriculum. Proposed initiatives should be consistent with District priorities and school improvement goals, as well as in line with Lake Washington Schools Foundation's mission to support academic excellence and success for all students.

The Lake Washington Schools Foundation is embarking on a longer-term strategic focus on youth mental wellness and closing gaps in equity and inequality in our District. While this year we are not limiting RFS grant applications to projects that address these two issues, we are eager to identify potential grant recipients that can help us advance those priorities.

Have any questions about the Reach for Success Grant process? Read through our online documentation and attend one of our in-person workshops at the LWSD Resource Center on February 13 from 10-11:30 AM and March 12 from 7-8:30 PM. There is limited space available, so secure your spot today!
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learn more now!

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Special thanks to our community partners Feed Washington and Eastside Community Aid Thrift Shop ​

We couldn't be more thankful to Feed Washington, which raised over $10,000 during their December Holiday Hunger Campaign to support Pantry Packs. Thank you to all who donated, the "hunger champions" who helped fundraise, and our friends at Feed Washington, who are working year-round to end childhood hunger in our state.
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Clearing the clutter? Take your no-longer-needed items to our partners at the non-profit, all-volunteer Eastside Community Aid (ECA) Thrift Shop! This thrift shop has contributed more than $4 million to support Eastside charities, and they are a valued contributor to Pantry Packs. The thrift shop has clothing, jewelry, household goods, and more, at great prices. Help others by donating used goods any time the thrift shop is open at 12451 116th Avenue NE in Kirkland.